More than a dozen T-28 “Trojan” aircraft and their pilots will visit the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport this weekend as they prepare for EAA 2014 AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Among them will be the “Trojan Horsemen,” the T-28 aerobatic formation demonstration team that performs nationwide.

The annual gathering is hosted by the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin.

Visitors will get a chance to meet and mingle with the T-28 pilots, something that can’t happen at the bigger Oshkosh event.

A breakfast will be served by the Rotary Club of Sheboygan from 8 to 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday There will also be a brat fry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All meals and events are open to the public.

The T-28 Trojan, manufactured by North American Aircraft, is a tandem seat aircraft originally designed as an advanced fighter trainer for the Air Force, Navy and Marines.

Capable of speeds in excess of 350 mph, the rugged and maneuverable aircraft proved so capable that it was used to fly combat missions in Vietnam and the “Secret War” in Laos.

“We are always proud to host the T-28 pilots,” said Jon Helminiak, executive director of the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin. “These men and women are preserving and flying historically significant aircraft, and Sheboygan County will be treated to a unique weekend of aviation.”

The T-28 has special meaning to the Hmong who flew it from remote mountain airstrips during the U.S. Laos “Secret War,” often in terrible weather.

Flying five to 10 missions per day with very little down time, the Hmong suffered heavy casualties. To honor them, the Aviation Heritage Center and EAA Chapter 766 are restoring a T-28 to commemorate their sacrifices. The restored aircraft, which was actually used in SE Asia to train the Hmong to fly in combat, will be dedicated at the Center on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20.

For more information, visit the Aviation Heritage Center website at www.ahcw.org, Facebook page, or phone them at 920-467-2043

If you go

What: T-28 Fly-in

When: Thursday, July 24, through Monday, July 28. A brat fry will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A breakfast will be served by the Rotary Club of Sheboygan from 8 to 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.